Boston University received a favorable jury verdict in its LED patent infringement case against Taiwan LED companies Everlight Electronics Co., Ltd., and Lite-On Technology Corporation, and Epistar Corporation. A US District Court jury awarded Boston University over $13 million after finding that three companies infringed on a BU patent for blue LEDs, a fundamental component of white LEDs.
The 10-person jury unanimously found that the companies willfully infringed on BU’s patent for the invention by Theodore Moustakas, Boston University’s College of Engineering Distinguished Professor of Photonics and Optoelectronics Emeritus. Judge Patti B. Saris could double or even triple the $13,665,000 award because the jury found the infringement to be willful. The court has not yet announced a date for further proceedings. The patents relate to the fabrication of gallium nitride thin films for blue LEDs.
Several big-name electronics manufacturers are among a total of 25 companies that were initially part of the University’s case. However, these companies avoided the fine by joining a settlement that includes licensing and confidentiality agreements.
